Department of Homeland Security - Essay Example

Department of Homeland Security Abstract The information includes 14 pieces of information including articles and government documents outlining the formation of the Department of Homeland Security in 2002. The document by President George W. Bush in June of 2002 outlines the four organizational divisions and purpose. Other OIG and CRS reports focus on budget, management and deployment. Other articles give current updates on where the DHS is in recent years. And a final review shows the successes and failures for the past, present and future of the DHS. Keywords: DHS, OIG, CRS, ACE, GAO. Department of Homeland Security Its Establishment, The Organization, Then and Now 2002 – 2013 Introduction: “Our nation is stronger than it was on 9/11, more prepared to confront evolving threats, and more resilient in the face of our continued challenges.” (Napolitano, 2011). It has been a decade since the attacks on September 11, 2001. Our nation lost nearly 3,000 innocent men, women and children as well as citizens from more than 90 countries. In the wake of the attack, America has become even stronger and resilient; however, threats still persist. We have overcome challenges in the past decade, but more strides need to be made to guard our nation against other large attacks or natural disasters on our own soil.(DHS.gov, 2012). We have come to realize that it is not only the responsibility of our government to maintain security but it is a shared responsibility of each American. The Federal government has partnered with government, the public and private sectors in communities across our country and other nations to strengthen the DHS’s infrastructure. This large security endeavor works to defend against threats, minimize risks, and maximize our response so that we may recover quickly from any attacks or differing disasters. (DHS.gov, 2012). The vision, “Preserving our freedoms, protecting America..we secure our homeland.” (Napolitano, 2013). Establishment, Breakdown and Purpose: Immediately after the 9/11 attacks President Bush took authoritative action to assure protection for America. In the document of June 2002 he established the White House Office of Homeland Security and the Homeland Security Council to assure that our federal response and protective actions would be effective in the future. He appointed Tom Ridge as Homeland Security Advisor to study the federal government and determine if what we have now would be sufficient to deal with a current threat. He was also instructed to evaluate the system as far as future threats and anything unknown. (Bush, 2002). The study determined that since 9/11 information learned about the enemy while fighting a war required more unification in the homeland security division. (Bush, 2002). The organization would focus on four specific and efficient divisions. 1. Border and transportation security would cover borders, transportation systems and territorial waters. Responsibilities of the Coast Guard, Customs, Immigration, Border Patrol, and the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service of the Department of Agriculture would all be under this division. The newly formed Transportation Security Administration would cover all entries into the United States. This security measure assured that border control and visas were held in a central information-sharing database. (Bush, 2002). 2. Emergency preparedness and response focused on training for domestic disaster preparedness of first responders and communication with the government disaster response efforts. FEMA would become a central division of the DHS. Grant programs would be set up for firefighters, police and other immediate response persons now managed by FEMA. FEMA, the Department of Justice, the Department of Health and Human Services as well as the Nuclear Emergency Search Team would all be compressed into one government-wide plan with necessary equipment for communication with each other. (Bush, 2002). 3. Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear countermeasures division would head the response to full range terror threats using weapons of mass destruction. This division would set policies for state and local governments and conduct exercises and drills for emergency response team planning. The aim of this department is to bring together and synchronize efforts into a single office to protect the United States from Catastrophic terrorism. This would put an end to current scattered departmental task forces. (Bush, 2002). As well, this department would lead in preparing for chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and agro-terrorism. This division will work to develop diagnostics, vaccines, and antibodies as needed to fight bio attacks. (Bush, 2002). The science and technology base will be consolidated into research and development programs. State and local public safety agencies will set standards and evaluate current equipment. Current programs were scattered throughout the Executive Branch. (Bush, 2002). 4. Information analysis and infrastructure protection would bring together and analyze intelligence and information about threats from all organizations including the CIA, NSA, FBI, INS, DEA, DOE, DOT, and Customs. All of these organizations as well as others will be brought together under one division of communication. They will work together to identify and assess threats both now and future to our homeland, assess current weak spots, present timely warnings, and take immediate and necessary action. A revamping of the new FBI and CIA with provide needed information to the Department of Homeland Security. (Bush, 2002). This department would also take the responsibility of assessing the weak areas in America’s infrastructure, which include food, water, agriculture, health and emergency, and telecommunications. The infrastructure also includes banking, and energy associated with electrical, nuclear, gas, oil, and dams. These are all high-risk targets as well as transportation, chemical and defense, postal and shipping and national monuments and icons. (Bush, 2002). Other key components would include state and local governments as well as private sector communication. The Secret Service is to remain intact and its main purpose is to protect the President and other top leaders. (Bush, 2002). Budget, Management, Deployment: According to an article in March 2003 in Migration Information Source, the Federal Budget proposed by President George Bush for DHS will increase for the year 2004. This will bring the budget to $36.2 billion, a 7.4 percent increase over 2003.(Jachimowicz; McKay, 2003). The greatest increase was to focus on National Security Entry-Exit Registration Systems that track all foreign visitors in the US. Emphasis was also placed on visa reduction and establishing a six-month processing time for applications.(Jachimowicz; McKay, 2003). The budget request for the year 2012 is $57.0 billion in total funding, $47.4 billion in gross discretionary funding, and $43.2 in net discretionary funding. (DHS.gov, 2012). The total prediction for funding for 2013 is $59.3 billion in total budget authority. (DHS.gov, 2013). During the first nine months of operation the DHS faced the challenge of reorganizing the largest division of the federal government in years. While they have made progress, consolidating the department’s components has been their biggest challenge. Integrating 22 separate components into one, effective and efficiently run entity with 180,000 employees is an ongoing thing. The Office of Inspector General(OIG)has reduced 350 management processes to 130 in 2003. They also reduced from 2500 services provided to 600 through DHS. These services included payroll, mail, and personnel security.(OIG, 2003). The division deployed IT systems so that DHS employees could communicate internally and American citizens could communicate with the department. These included networking systems, email, intranet and internet sites. Human resources set up policies and procedures so that DHS could begin to build their staffs. A Strategic Sourcing Group (SSG) was established to acquire goods and services such as office supplies, copiers, weapons, uniforms and electricity. As of 2003 the DHS is still a department of separate components; however, they are operating under one large tent. (OIC, 2003) Contract Management has been a challenge in 2003. For example, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA)depended on outside contracts in 2003. This resulted in an extreme increase in the cost of contracts. Grants Management programs that supply money for disaster preparedness, response and prevention has had its shortcomings. In 2003 DHS management were trying to develop measures that determine if grant programs do enhance state and local abilities to respond to terrorist attacks and natural disasters.(OIG, 2003). The biggest financial management challenge has been to integrate 22 components into the creation of a central financial process. This is an ongoing thing as well. Creating and tracking performance and accountability of financial statements will not be normalized until 2004, when additional consolidation efforts will be provided.(OIG, 2003). The Homeland Security Act gave DHS the opportunity to design a human capital management system for its own missions. On April 1, 2003 the DHS announced design plans for pay and classification, performance management, labor relations, discipline, and employee appeals for its 180,000 employees. Prior to 2003 discrepancies existed in the alien tracking systems, deployment, and use of operational equipment for border security measures. Enforcement depends on high tech equipment to detect terrorists, weapons of mass destruction, illicit narcotics and other illegal activity at border locations. It is noted that in 2003 these challenges still exist and are ongoing. DHS has identified entry/exit tracking, student visa tracking, and Interior Enforcement/Detection as problems that need focus. (OIG, 2003). In the Congressional Research Service(CRS)report of June 1, FEMA’s handling of Hurricane Katrina on the Gulf Coast was widely criticized. In July 2005 plans were announced to reorganize DHS including FEMA, this began on October 1, 2005, prompted by the hurricane Katrina disaster. As of October 2005 FEMA is now a freestanding unit, headed by a director and reporting directly to the Secretary for Federal Emergency Management. The division covers response, mitigation and recovery. (Hogue; Bea, 2006). In a report from OIG in June 2007 it is noted that US Customs and Border Protection is in the current process of forming a cargo processing system to focus on inspection, enforcement, border security, revenue collection, and statistics for all cargo coming in and out of the US. The new system called ACE will be in operation by September 2011 at a cost of $3 billion dollars. ACE has been implemented since it was noted that the old system was outdated, and inefficient.(OIG, 2007). Another report by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) in February 2007 mentions another problem that has not been addressed in any other management challenges. The Department of Homeland Security’s mission was of such importance that the Management problems had to be addressed and addressed effectively. Implications indicated if changes were not made it could have serious consequences on our intergovernmental workings, our citizens’ health and safety and the economy. (Walker, 2007). As mentioned earlier the budget request for 2013 is $59.0 billion. The DHS has enacted such initiatives as sharing resources, consolidating and making operations more efficient whenever possible to cut costs. In 2011, DHS conducted a formal budget review to find savings in current resources that would translate into operational savings. Through soliciting employee input on cost cutting measures, they implemented six new employee-generated ideas in 2012. In 2011 DHS recorded a milestone towards accountability for its resources; for the first time since 2003 DHS earned an audit opinion on its Balance sheet. They were able to highlight the improvements made in financial management since its formation in 2002. (DHS.gov, 2013). Updated Information: In an article by Grant Gross of Computer World in June 2010, he contends that DHS has failed in network security readiness. He says, “There is no doubt that we are not prepared to address a major cyber attack today.” (Gross, 2010). In an article by Michael Schmidt in the New York Times on March 13, 2012, he discusses 86 reported attacks on computer systems in the United States that control our critical infrastructure. This was an increase from 11 the previous year. The attacks did not cause significant damage, but were noted between October 2011 and February 2012. This increase has prompted a new awareness in cyber security in the president’s office and updated standards at the facilities of the breach. According to James A. Lewis, a specialist in computer security at the Center for Strategic and International Studies “much of it is because the technology has improved and the hackers have gotten better and people and countries are probing around more like the Russians and Chinese have.” (Schmidt, 2012). He contends that you “can destroy physical infrastructure with a cyber attack just like you could with a bomb.” (Schmidt, 2012). Ms. Napolitano, Secretary for Homeland Security states, “a cyber attack is at the same frequency and intensity as is bubbling at the same level, and we should not wait for an attack in order to do something.” (Schmidt, 2012). Homeland Security News Wire in March of 2012 addressed legislative concerns over cyber security regulations. It is felt that attacks on the US infrastructure could bring about a Katrina-like situation with no electricity, water, traffic control, and weak emergency response. It is also noted in this article that 85 percent of the US infrastructure is privately owned, which could present a problem. Currently there are two bills in Congress to address this dilemma. (HSNW, 2012). The department of Homeland Security is planning a high-risk virus research center in America as well, according to an article by J. D. Heyes in Natural News. The center is scheduled to be built on the campus of Kansas State University at a cost of $54 million dollars. Research will be conducted on bio-level 3 and 4 viruses. Opposition to the facility claim because of the weak seismic area and weather disasters that it could be risky for the local population. According to Heyes hazards include flooding, dam failure, earthquakes and tornadoes. (Heyes, 2012). Review: Past, Present, and Future In the year 2000 Americans never discussed the term “American Homeland.” Until September 11, 2001, suddenly Americans became aware of a threat on their own soil. The possibility of a global religious war and people with weapons of mass destruction became apparent. Before 9/11 Homeland Security was not a word familiar to most Americans. The year 2011 marked the ten-year anniversary of the day the world shifted. Today the DHS is the third largest government department with over 180,000 employees. The term “homeland” has become an everyday conversational term that reaches every American in some fashion. The DHS has met some of its challenges over the ten-year period; however, another set of challenges will be faced in the next ten years as well.(Silverberg, 2011). The following information gives the success and failures of DHS over the last ten years from 2001 to 2011. Let’s address the failures first and foremost. 1. Al Qaeda still remains in existence. Through all its efforts in killing its founder, the movement it represents continues to plot and spread its beliefs. 2. Osama Bin Laden escaped in 2001 which has extended the war on Al Qaeda for 10 years, drained manpower and resources and continued threats against the US. 3. The terrorist threat is still alive through jihadist adherents, mostly loners. The core has been reduced but not eliminated. 4. Hurricane Katrina caught the nation unprepared in August 2005. It left many wondering if we were really the can-do nation that protects its people. 5. On 9/11 343 firefights died in the Twin Towers due to different radio systems. Today still, that system is not operational despite the need and advantages. 6. Ground Zero remains unbuilt due to legal matters and commercial dealings. 7. The color alert system has been ineffective since no one wishes to relax security to a point of downgrade. 8. The SBInet never worked which was aimed at erecting a virtual fence across the Southwest border beginning in 2005. The initiative failed due to politics and other shortcomings. 9. One hundred percent cargo screening has failed. Inspections and screenings have, however, been enhanced, which has increased the likelihood of finding threatening cargo. Now lets look at the successes. 1. Locating Osama Bin Laden, the mastermind behind the 9/11 attack. The death of this notorious leader is ranked as the foremost American success since 9/11. 2. There have been no further attacks on the US homeland since 9/11. Over the last decade there have been no successful, deliberate or planned attacks on the American homeland. 3. Weakening Al Qaeda has been a major undertaking for the American government since 9/11. Through capture, assassinations, bombings and manhunts over the last ten years, the US has managed to weaken lower level leadership. 4. Over the past decade America has been able to prevent Al Qaeda from establishing bases or safe havens similar to the one based in Afghanistan. 5. Countering the Al Qaeda ideology and assuring Muslims that we are not at war with their religion has been a success. 6. Recognizing our homeland and making sure every American understands what it means and that it has to be secured. 7. Creating the DHS and with its challenges continues to unify 22 department agencies into an effective and efficient division at the state, local and territorial levels here and abroad. (Silverberg, 2011). 8. Increased awareness of rumored threats and immediate response to any rumor no matter how crazy they may seem. 9. Greater awareness that disasters can occur on US soil and that no American should take their safety for granted. This includes terrorists’ attacks as well as natural disasters. 10. Finally, being aware of cooperation within the US as well as other countries. Since 9/11 the worst attacks have occurred outside the US. No one is immune to it; therefore, cooperation is a must for the US as well as other countries as we move into the future. (Silverberg, 2011). The Department of Homeland Security faces many challenges as we move into the year 2012. Even though the wounds of 9/11 will fade as time passes on, lessons will be learned from it that will form our opinions, policies and actions for the future. Documenting the events of that day will be stored so that no American will ever have to feel threatened on their own soil or lose face in their own government in the aftermath. (Silverberg, 2011). References Department of Homeland Security, OIG. 31 December 2003. Major Management Challenges Facing the Department of Homeland Security. Web. 01 April 2012. http://aila.org/content/. Fiscal Year 2012 Budget in Brief. 2012. Fiscal Year 2012 Budget Request, U. S. Department of Homeland Security. Web. 01 April 2012. http://dhs.gov/. Fiscal Year 2012 Budget Request. 2012. U. S. Department of Homeland Security. Web. 01 April 2012. http://dhs.gov/. Gross, Grant. 17 June 2010. Homeland Security has failed on US network Security readiness: report. Web. 01 April 2012. http://computerworlduk.com/. Heyes, J. D. 16 March 2012. The Department of Homeland Security Plans to build a high-risk virus research center in the Heart of America. Web. 02 April 2012. http://naturalnews.com/. Hogue, Henry B.;Bea, Keith. CRS Report for Congress. 01 June 2006. Federal Emergency Management and Homeland Security Organization: Historical Developments and Legislative Options. Web. 01 April 2012. http://fas.org/sgp/crs/. Homeland Security. 2012. 9/11 Ten Years Since September 11, 2001. Web. 01 April 2012. http://dhs.gov/files/. Homeland Security News Wire. 23 March 2012. Dueling legislation Over cyber security regulations. Web. 02 April 2012. http://homelandsecuritynewswire.com/. Jachimowicz, Maia; McKay, Ramah. 01 March 2003. Revamped Homeland Security Department to Incorporate INS Duties. Web. 02 April 2012. http://migrationinformation.org/. Office of Inspector General. 06 2007. Department of Homeland Security, Executive Summary. Web. 01 April 2012. http://oig.dhs.gov/assets/mgmt/. Schmidt, Michael,S. 13 March 2012. New York Times. New Interest In Hacking as Threat to Security. Web. 01 April 2012. http://nytimes.com/2012/. Silverberg, David. 08 September 2011. 10 Years after 9/11. Web. 01 April 2012. http://hstoday.us/. The Department of Homeland Security. 06 2002. Web. 01 April 2012. http://dhs.gov/. Walker, David M. 06 February 2007. United States Government Accountability Office. Homeland Security, Management and Programmatic Challenges Facing the Department of Homeland Security. Web. 01 April 2012. http://gao.gov/. Read More